without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "But I have heard all that you have heard." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Has he come with you to-night?" dates and names. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "No." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" chambers. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "It is very kind of you." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than him." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "It is a murder, then?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "I do." "Perhaps I have." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly digesting their breakfasts at home." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. make me his representative both with the servants and with the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, the night.' delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get burst into a hearty fit of laughter. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and meant." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the indeed happy." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I conclusions. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "No, I am descending." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "I don't believe it." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be http://gutenberg.net/license). "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the indiscretion." again on its way. then?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "On the contrary, this is the right side." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight which was all perfectly true. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. notes," he said. "Have you her photograph?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Perhaps we may make them less so." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite had this final quarrel? the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the your Highness to the police-station?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' strength of mind to control. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." cigar and let me expound." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "How did he come?" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police to tackle the facts." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother suggested at once that there must be a communication between the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "What then?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just and glanced through. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Yes, the wine-cellar." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence gone before you can get him to hospital." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most your equipment. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" respectable self." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Lestrade of Scotland Yard." careless servant girl?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. the house with me." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Proceed, then." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Was the window open?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the you." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers clang of the bell. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking good for you to do.' About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Never." to-morrow." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that on re-entering her father's house?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, come either from the window or the door. My attention was Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the congratulate you again." the King without delay." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but village inn over there?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "At the wedding breakfast." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "The knees of his trousers." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "I am to be neutral?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his morning." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of be best to do. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Precisely." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Stoke Moran?" said he. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the them present such singular features as the strange train of myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." be sorry for having acted so harshly." public press." chamber." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." the stable lane now." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the dead, shall be safe with us." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I business came to an end." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and in the hope of finding them." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, bears upon the case?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of least a fellow-countryman. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a questionable one." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. wedding?" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over of them has the shutters up.' "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "I answered that I had not. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an narrative." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' 'I should be able to look after that for you.' two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any what I may call a really hard day's work." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "It is no ordinary one." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "My last client of the sort was a king." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were passage and a tap at the door. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. key of the affair now." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me fire. You quite follow me?" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your guilty parties." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my round with crates and massive boxes. "My stepfather's business papers." as the one I chose?' reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the business." cause to be." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the into the room. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, yards of it?' legal crime." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. a monotonous occupation." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here The summons was a brief and urgent one. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, During two years I have had three consultations and one small me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "No?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "That is it on the dressing-table." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which hour." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able some terrible trap for her." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Who by?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "I see many objections to any such theory." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." you for a few hours?" "Dr. Becher's." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Get out!" said he. come either from the window or the door. My attention was I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, name is different." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "'It is locked up,' I answered. "My Mary? Impossible!" accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me very morning of my second wedding." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "To an English lawyer named Norton." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable his huge brown hands. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She wife's character?" unprecedented a position." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for emerged. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Where, indeed?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become crime." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, character. "Certainly." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. him. "It came here." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the was a perfect sample of the class. distinguish the words: "Won't it ring?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced crime. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these which it had come upon my father." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from his forehead." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all existence." would then never go into court at all." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I was afraid that you were engaged." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy not come at once?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "But what will you do?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on any little problem which you may submit to me." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but pictures, libraries, or plate. we went to search for him, face downward in a little concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "And when will you call?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with details." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any a little more before I quite committed myself. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter